Training for elite level sports relies heavily on two major organs: the heart and the brain. It thus follows that to be the best of the best at any given sport, one must train these organs specifically.
Researchers from Saxion University investigated the effects of administering two different types of biofeedback to two groups of elite Danish athletes. One group underwent heart rate variability (HRV) training, in which participants followed breathing instructions while calculating their heart coherence. They did this exercise 3 times per day, 6 days per week. The other group trained at home with a neurofeedback system (a mean of 14.8 times during the 5-week period). In order to boost alpha power, participants listened to self-selected music on headphones fitted with Ag/AgCl electrodes to measure EEG signals (electrical signals in the brain corresponding to the firing of neurons). Low alpha power was reflected by a “thin and distant” sound of music while high alpha power reflected a “loud and clear” sound. Hence, the application designed for this experiment subconsciously encouraged participants to reach higher alpha levels so that the music would sound clearer and louder. Both groups also went through a mental coaching program in which the athletes were taught various mental techniques to reduce stress and increase mindfulness, such as the freeze frame technique—recalling an acute stressful event and attempting to stop the emotional response and choose an appropriate reaction instead.
After the 10-week period, Group A (the HRV group) showed significant improvement in EEG alpha power, low frequency to high frequency ratio, and improvement in emotional stability and concentration. Meanwhile Group B (the EEG group) showed improvement in recovery time and effectiveness as well as HRV low frequency power.
Thus, this study showed how athletes may improve their emotional control, mindfulness, sleeping patterns, and, ultimately, physical performance through heart or brain training. In other words, training either the heart or the brain may lead to significant improvements in both!